What a fun and unexpected story. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I was expected a somewhat formulaic romance, but instead got a really interesting, well-developed book.

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery by Su Young Lee

Fluttering cherry blossoms, gorgeous kimonos and sorrowful love. Hana went to Japan looking for her boyfriend who had disappeared.

Part of this book was good. I enjoyed reading about the Japanese people and their way of living. Learned many names (and how to cook) Japanese and Korean food. I felt it was more like a journal. I hated the ending. Cliff hanger.

I unfortunately could not get get into this book. That being said, I still think some readers will enjoy it, Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

It took me awhile to get through this book because as interesting the concept and the setting was for me, it wasn’t my favorite. Though I still very much loved imagining all the sights in Japan especially with how beautifully descriptive the writing was. I also enjoyed going through Hana’s journey of finding herself and ahhh all the baking she did made my mouth water as I was reading. Overall, it was a charming story with a cute romance and an inspiring self-discovery storyline.

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery Review
As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

1 star: Did not finish
2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
4 Stars: Loved this book!
5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.
My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂

My Thoughts
So, as I said above, The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery was a 3 star read, meaning that I liked the book, but I didn’t love it and thought there could have been some improvements. Let’s start with what I liked.

What I liked
The characters in The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery were astounding. I absolutely loved every person I met throughout the story especially the supporting characters. Not that the main characters were bad or anything, but I rarely get to to read a book with such interesting and well developed people outside of the main couple.

I also loved, loved, loved the main plot of the story. The little dashes of magical realism with the Japanese culture made for a beautifully balanced story that almost felt musical. The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery seemed to move and flow with such grace.

The scenes with baking were also some of my favorites because I am a baking enthusiast and to try nearly every recipe. There was a green tea cake that sounds to die for and I am looking for a similar recipe online.

What didn’t work for me…
I didn’t love the writing throughout the book. There were way too many mundane scenes that had nothing to do with advancing the plot. The dialogue often felt stilted and forced even when the feelings within the scene were not.

I honestly felt like with some editing The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery could be a homerun.

Conclusion
The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery is a cute romance that is enjoyable and beautifully atmospheric. With a few improvements, it could be wonderful.

I liked the quietness of this book -- that's the word I would use to describe it. The story was told in such a picturesque way where I could envision the sights in Japan - especially the vegetable shop and the Kato Farm. I enjoyed the journey of Hana finding her own way and how her community helped her find her place and what she wanted to do. It was interesting how the character of Jin was woven into the story in somewhat of a mystical and mysterious way. Most especially, I enjoyed all the baked items Hana made -- wish there were some recipes at the back of the book.

There is a think as too much description and this book was it for me. I couldn't connect and stopped reading.

I received an e-arc of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

2/5 stars -dnf

While I was unable to finish this book, it had nothing to do with the overall story line or characters but the writing itself which is why I decided to rate it at 2 stars. Unfortunately this writing style is just not for me. It's very flowery and descriptive heavy writing that just didn't allow me to really connect with what was going on as I was so aware of how everything was being described. It just seemed to pull me out of the story rather than allow myself to be fully immersed in it.

I also was a little confused but the sudden friendship that our main character had so quickly after being introduced to a group of girls who were traveling together. It just seemed so out of place and thrown together. The book also didn't seem to mention any language barriers which I would imagine there would be when one is in a foreign area.

However if you like cute romances with lots of flowery descriptions and about finding yourself I imagine that this book would be a great option for you.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing this book about 20% in so my rating reflects the book up to that point for me. It just wasn't clicking for me and I was struggling to stay interested. The concept and the description really appealed to me, which led me to request it, and it is unique but the style ultimately wasn't for me.

This was one of the cutest little novels i've read in a while. While i strongly believe in self discovery, it doesn't hurt to make amazing little cakes along the way and find new friends and even a new family. Would definitely recommend for that wanderlust traveler in my life!

I loved this book so much I ordered the paperback before I even finished it! 5 wonderful stars, new favorite.

I absolutely adored this beautiful, magical, special story about Hana. It painted quite the picture with its descriptions and I found myself falling in love with Hana's world.

I will be eagerly awaiting this author's next novel. It's very rare that a novel is so charming I absolutely have to have the paperback right away!

Do I recommend this book? Yes. If you liked the movie Chocolat you will adore this enchanting read.

When her boyfriend is nowwhere to be found, she is forced to start over, and find her own way. What does that mean? Who is she meant to be?

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery was one of those books that just creeps on you. Initial curiosity making you pick it up because of the really nice book cover and a relatively sweet read from the blurb and pretty soon you’re like not sleeping because Hana’s journey and the mix of magical realism, really intoxicating cakes and the beautiful description of Japan has kept you up reading. The pacing of the story is just perfect and you as a reader has become invested in the journey of not just Hana but of Jin and Hikaru as well. This book is just perfect and has just broken my reading slump spectacularly.

A story as sweet as Hana's baked goods! When Hana heads to Japan to visit her boyfriend Jin, she finds that he's up and left. She decides to wait for him to return, and instead finds a community of people she loves, and who in turn help her find herself.

I found myself wishing this book came with all of the recipes Hana made!

This was a cute little romance with more sadness that expected though. I think that was what put me off because I expected a lighter story about love and food and although I got that I also got not good things.
It was overall a good short whimsical story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a very pretty and aesthetically-pleasing cover I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the only thing I liked about this book is the cover. The story is so bizarre and boring for my liking. I did not care about any of the characters and I cannot connect to the main character at all. I can still see this being liked by other readers though.This book has a very pretty and aesthetically-pleasing cover I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the only thing I liked about this book is the cover. The story is so bizarre and boring for my liking. I did not care about any of the characters and I cannot connect to the main character at all. I can still see this being liked by other readers though.

This book is so atmospheric. The author distills all of the elements of cottagecore into a real life. Hana bakes and experiences food as magic. She leaves home to find a lost love and instead finds herself by building a community through small actions, baking and love. Everything Hana does is simple but the things she experiences are anything but simple.

*An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review* #netgalley

This story made me HUNGRY. Such great descriptions of delicious food that I want to eat RIGHT NOW. It made me miss my moms cooking. I should have paid more attention when I was younger, because now I'd rather eat Korean food everyday over American food, haha.

This was a cute little romance. It didn't have a mind blowing plot, but it wasn't the most terrible book I have ever read. I was looking for an easy palate cleanse of a book and thats what I got.

Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was story was more of a coming to age story than a romance but it had an interesting plot. I liked Hana, she’s such a strong character going through all she’s going through, for obvious reasons I didn’t like Jin, but the other characters were good. Overall the story was a nice read, it was more sad than I expected it to be and it will definitely have you craving deserts by the end of it.

3 stars
A charming story that takes place in Japan.
I loved all the descriptions of food and Japanese culture in the book. It was a nice escape.
It wasn’t necessarily a romance, more of a coming to find yourself kind of book.
I must say, the ending did not do it for me... too open ending for a supposed romance story.
It was a fine story! Wasn’t great or horrible. A nice quick read to escape to.

*special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!